I recently had a chance to interview actor and musician Greg Grunberg about his free app, Yowza Mobile Coupons. Using your smart phone, you can use Yowza to find coupons and discounts for stores and establishments that are local to you. The deals come directly from the merchants, and can show you discounts around town or when you travel. I asked Greg a bit more about the app.
GeekMom: Is Yowza easy to integrate into the life of a new iPhone user?
Greg Grunberg: Absolutely, and it will always be a very simple app to use and take advantage of. Saving money should never cost you anything or take up too much of your time. With Yowza there are no games, you don’t have to check in or become the mayor or go back home and redeem anything online — you will always press one button, show the coupon at the register and save money. It’s as simple as that.
GM: How does Yowza fare in smaller towns? My town has about 50,000 people, and only one store is listed in the app that is within 50 miles. What can be done to encourage our local businesses to participate?
GG: You need to move. I’m kidding. Within the app we do give people the ability to suggest stores for us to call on, but in addition to that all it takes is for a customer to ask their favorite retailer if they accept Yowza, and if they don’t, have them go to getyowza.com to sign up. And don’t worry, we have incredible things happening with Yowza, we will have many more locations coming soon.
GM: I can see how Yowza would be great when you travel. It is easy to find paper coupons for establishments where you live, but I cringe when I pay full price for certain things when on the road. Do you have any information on whether people are using it more near home, or more often when they venture farther afield?
GG: Both actually. Inside the app you can put in your future destination or your current destination and plan your trip accordingly. Yowza is also currently being used in many airports across the country, so even while you are traveling you can save money on expensive airport food.
GM: How do people use the app? Do they plan their shopping around it, or just check it when out and about to make sure they aren’t missing any discounts?
GG: Again, if you spend any money anywhere without checking Yowza, you’re just throwing your money away. Chances are there will be something that you can save money on, whether it is your regular purchases or an impulse buy. New offers are added to Yowza all the time, so check frequently.
GM: Do you have any more apps in the works?
GG: I do! I have apps that will absolutely change the world that are being worked on now. But Yowza is more than just an app, it’s a global business that we are expanding everywhere. We have a lot of work to do and that is my main concentration right now. I am the superhero of savings.
GM: How is the band [Band From TV] doing? Do you all find it challenging to fit that around your acting schedule?
GG: It is very challenging. We end up having more rehearsals than most bands to work around everyone’s schedule. But it is one of the best and most rewarding things I do — as all of the proceeds that the band make go toward the various charities we support, including my own foundation talkaboutit.org which helps the 65 million people around the word living with seizures and epilepsy.
GM: Do you have any upcoming projects with J. J. Abrams?
GG: Yes. We plan on getting drunk in Vegas very soon. Everything else is top secret.
GM: Is there anything else you’d like to plug?
GG: There are plans in the works for my character to get naked on The Client List, Season 2 on Lifetime with Jennifer Love Hewitt. (And don’t say I didn’t warn you.)
Yowza is a free download for iPhone or Android, and check out Greg Grunberg in his many acting roles (Alias is my favorite!).
